Device for indicating rhythmic cycle



April 18, 1961 Filed June 18, 1956 IIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIII' F. J. PISARRADEVICE FOR INDICATING RHYTHMIC CYCLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1961 F. J.PISARRA 2,980,325

DEVICE FOR INDICATING RHYTHMIC CYCLE Filed June 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet2 2,980,325 Patented Apr. 18, 1961 nice DEVICE FOR INDICATING RHYTHMICCYCLE Francis J. Pisarra, 18 Beelmzau Place, Fair Lawn, NJ.

Filed June 18, 1956, Ser. No. 592,056

15 Claims. (Cl. 235-86) This invention relates to a rhythmic cycleindicating device and more particularly to a device, in the nature of acyclic calendar for women, which is adapted to be readily set andindicate visually the period of probable fertility and periods ofprobable sterility during the ensuing menstrual cycle.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending patentapplication Serial No. 477,091, filed December 22, 1954, and entitledDevice for Indicating Rhythmic Cycle, now Patent No. 2,755,998.

The purposes and functions of devices constructed in accordance withthis invention and the objects of this invention are essentially thesame as those disclosed in my said copend-ing patent application, towhich reference may be had for details.

The present invention has for an additional object the provision of adevice of the character indicated having its parts so constructed andarranged as to permit of its ready and convenient use and reuse over anextended time period.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises thedevices, combinations and arrangements of parts set forth in thefollowing detailed description and illustrated in the annexed drawingsof several forms of construction embodying the invention, from which thefeatures of the invention, together with the advantages obtainablethereby will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a rhythmic cycle indicating deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention, certain parts being brokenaway for better illustration of other parts;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of a reel that constitutes one of theelements of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the slide unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 5 is a view in enlargement taken along staggered line 5-5 of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 corresponds to Fig. l and illustrates a first moditied form ofthe invention;

Fig. 7 is a view in enlargement taken along staggered line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 corresponds to the upper portion of Fig.- 6 and illustrates asecond modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a view in enlargement taken along staggered line 9-9 of Fig.8.

paperboard, including cardboard, laminated paper and the like. Unit T ispreferably made of paper but may, if desired, be made of any othersuitable material.

Unit C is formed from an elongated generally rectangular strip that isbent and curved to obtain a base 11 and a pair of spaced housings 12 and13. Housing 12 terminates in an extension 14 that overlies and is joinedto base 11 by a pair of eyelets 15 which extend through correspondingaligned openings that are provided in the extension and base. Housing 13also terminates in an extension 16 that overlies the base and is joinedthereto by eyelets 17. Extension 16 is notched or recessed, as indicatedat 18. It will be appreciated that connector means other than eyeletsmay be used advantageously to connect the extensions and base. Among theconnector means which may be employed in lieu of the eyelets arestaples, rivets, bolts and snap fasteners.

Base 11 is provided with first indicia comprising transverse color bands20, 21 and 22 which are visible from its upper surface. Bands 2i) and 22are preferably of one color, such as green, as indicated in Fig. 1,while band 21 is of a constrasting color, such as red, as is alsoindicated in Fig. 1. Bands 20 and 22 denote periods of probablesterility and band 21 denotes a period of probable fertility, in acomplete rhythmic cycle. To assist the user, bands 20 and 22 areimprinted with the word Sterile and band 21 is imprinted with the wordFertile or its abbreviation Felt, such imprintings being exposed whenthe device is assembled and in use. The base is also provided on itsupper surface with a plurality of second indicia, generally indicated bynumeral 24 and consisting of a series of numerals which correspond tothe number of days in the usual range of rhythmic cycles.

Housings 12 and 13 rotatably support respective reels 25 and 26. Thesereels are preferably identical and as best shown in Fig. 2, each reelcomprises a shaft 27 having a longitudinal through slot 28, a pair ofspaced circular members 39 that define an annular recess 31 with theshaft, and a pair of end discs 32 that bear against corresponding endsof the reel housings to prevent axial movement of the reel relative toits housing. Each disc 32 is serrated about its periphery to permitgripping and turning of the reel relative to its housing. Each reelforms a snug lit with its housing whereby the peripheral surfaces ofcircular members 30 frictionally engage the inner surface of thehousing. Such frictional engagement is sufiicient to normally restrainthe reel against rotational movement relative to the housing but may bereadily overcome by manually turning the reel about its axis. Either orboth reels may be of one-piece or multi-piece construction, as desiredor required for purposes of assembling the complete device.

Unit T is a calendar tape that is made from an elongated, flexible paperstrip which is substantially narrower than base 11 and slightly narrowerthan the spaces between connectors 15 and between connectors 17. Thetape has imprinted on one surface the days of at least one full calendaryear. Such days are arranged consecutively and equidistantly along thetape and are identified by their month dates, as illustrated in Fig. l.A first end portion (not shown) of the tape unit is wound about theshaft of reel 25 and a second end portion 35 is wound about the shaft ofreel 26 (Fig. 5). The extremities of such end portions extend throughslots 28 of corresponding reels and are suitably anchored to the shaftsof such reels. Intermediate portion 36 of the tape overlies the uppersurface of the base and extends through a passage 37 which is defined bybase 11, extension 16 and eyelets 17 and through a similar passage(unnumbered) which is defined by base 11, extension 14 and eyelets 15.

Slide unit S is preferably made from a flexible plastic material that isformed to obtain a top member 40, depending sides 41 and inwardlyextending flanges 42. Unit S is slideable along the base and has itsparts so configured and arranged as to frictionally engage the sideedges of the base and be maintained in selected position thereon. Topmember 40 overlies part of the intermediate portion 36 of the tape unitand has an end recess or notch 43 and a window 44 for viewing anyselected one of indicia 24. The portion of top member 40 remote fromnotch 43 is disposed between and bears against extension 14 and thebase, as indicated at Fig. 1.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the device shown in Figs.1 to 5, it is first assumed that carrier unit C, tape unit T and slideunit S are assembled, with the end portions of the tape unit wound aboutthe corresponding reels and the intermediate portion of the tape unitoverlying the base. It is also assumed, by way of example, that aparticular womans menstrual cycle is twenty-eight days and thatmenstruation started on August 17. The slide unit S is positioned alongbase 11 so that numeral 28 of indicia 24 appears in window 44. The tapeis advanced along the carrier unit by turning reel 25 in the directionindicated by the full arrow in Fig. 1 until the tape date marking Aug.17 is located in recess 43, as shown in Fig. 1. The parts are aremaintained in the illustrated position by the elements earlierdescribed. The device now exposes a total of twenty-nine days consistingof twenty-eight days (Aug 17 through Sept. 13), which constitute thefull menstrual cycle and an additional day (Sept 14), which is the dateon which the next menstrual cycle is expected to start.

It will be observed that bands 20 and 22, in conjunction with theassociated date markings on the strip, indicate visually the days in thewomans cycle during which she is probably sterile, while band 21 and itsassociated date markings indicate the days on which she is probablyfertile. Thus, in the cyclic period under consideration, the woman wouldmost likely be unable to conceive from August 17 through August 26 andfrom September 2 through September 13, but would be likely to conceiveduring the period August 27 to September 1. If the womans menstrualcycle is other than twenty-eight days, the slide unit is relocated withrespect to the base so that the proper numeral of indicia 24 appears inwindow 44. The parts of the device and indicia 24 permit adjustment ofthe device forthe usual range of menstrual cycles for normal women.

The tape unit may be readily advanced or moved backward along thecarrier by manipulating the reels, as required. To advance the tape, theuser need only manually turn reel 25 in the direction of its full linearrow. Such turning overcomes the friction between both reels and theirhousings and causes the tape to be correspondingly wound on reel 25 andunwound from reel 26. To move the tape backward, when required insetting the device or rewinding the tape, the user manually turns reel26 in the direction indicated by its full line arrow, thereby overcomingthe friction between the reels and their housings and causing the tapeto be wound on reel 26 and unwound from reel 25.

At such time as the tape has been substantially completely wound on reel25, which condition preferably occurs at the end of a calendar year, itmay be rewonnd unto reel 26, as will be evident from an examination ofFig. 1. The tape may be provided with suitable indicia to signal when itis approaching extreme wind and rewind positions relative to the base.

Reference is now had to Figs. 6 and 7 for an understanding of theconstruction of the modification of the invention illustrated therein.In this modification, only one of the reel supporting housings isfixedly secured to the carrier base. The other housing is secured to andconstitutes part of the slide unit. The complete device of thismodification is generally indicated by numeral 45 4. and consists of acarrier unit C, a tape unit T and a slide unit 8'.

Carrier unit C, as in the case of carrier unit C, comprises a base 11, ahousing 13 integral with the base and an extension 16, all constructed,arranged and marked in the same manner as the corresponding parts ofcarrier unit C.

Slide unit S is mounted on and slideable along the end portion of thebase remote from housing 13. The slide unit includes a housing 46,corresponding to housing 12 and a reel 25 rotatably supported by housing46 in the same manner as in the earlier described form of the invention.Integral with housing 46 are parallel upper and lower extensions 47 and48, respectively. Upper extension 47 is provided with earlier describedsecond indicia 24 and has a pair of depending side flanges 50 thatextend along the side edges of the base. Upper extension 47 also has anotch or recess 51 which corresponds to notch 43 of Fig. 3. The upperextension has a pair of parallel slots 52 while the lower extension hasa pair of parallel slots 53 (Fig. 7). Each slot 52 is in alignment witha slot 53. The lower extension is provided with one or more curvedresilient tongues 54 that are struck therefrom and project upwardly andinto engagement with base 11. Second indicia 24 are pro vided on theupper surface of extension 47 and are disposed along slots 52.

Slide unit S is joined to carrier base 11 by a pair of removableconnectors 55 which permit of sliding movement of unit S relative tounit C to the extent allowed by the slots. Each connector 55 includes ahead 56 and an internally threaded tubular shank 57 that extends throughthe base and registers with aligned slots 52 and 53. Shank 57 ispreferably non-circular to prevent rotation thereof during use. A screw58 engages the threads in shank 57. Head 56 has an arrow 60 or othermarking for indicating the selected numeral of indicia 24.

It will be appreciated that the device shown in Figs. 6 and 7 operatesin a manner similar to the device shown in Fig. 1. Any slack occurringin the tape unit during adjustment may be readily taken up by turningeither or both reels 25 and 26, as required. Tongues 54 frictionallymaintain slide unit S in selected adjusted position with respect to base11. Connectors 55 may be tightened or loosened to therebycorrespondingly increase or decrease the friction developed between theslide unit and the base, as will be apparent from an examination of Fig.7.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a second modification of the invention. Thismodification is closely related in construction and operation to themodification shown in Figs.

6 and 7. The complete device illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 is generallyidentified by numeral 61 and consists of a carrier unit C, a tape unit Tand a slide unit S".

Carrier unit C" difiers over carrier unit C only in that it is providedwith a pair of parallel slots 62 (Fig. 9) and is imprinted with secondindicia 24, as indicated in Fig. 8.

Slide unit S" is similar to slide unit S but does not include slots ofthe character identified by numerals 52 and 53 of Figs. 6 and 7. Unit Shas a window 63 for viewing any selected one of second indicia 24.

The removable connectors 55 of Figs. 8 and 9 extend through openings inextensions 47 and 48 and register with slots 62 to permit slidingmovement of unit S" along the base to the extent allowed by base slots62.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation andadvantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended bypersons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however,that various tive only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a pair of spaced supports secured to the base, a reel carried byand rotatable with respect to each support, a tape of flexible materialnarrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendaryear arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tapecomprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and anintermediate portion that extends between the end portions and overliesthe upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base andincluding a member overlying and covering part of theintermediateportion of the tape, said slide being movable along'the base and theintermediate portion of the tape.

2. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base hearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a pair of spaced supports secured to the base, the base and eachsupport defining a passage, a reel carried by and rotatable with respectto each support, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base andhaving markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutivelyand equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that arewound on corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extendsbetween the end portions and through the passages and that overlies theupper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and includinga member overlying and covering part of the intermediate portion of thetape, said slide being movable along the base and the intermediateportion of the tape.

3. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a pair of spaced housings carried by the base, a reel supported byand rotatable with respect to each housing, each reel having a pair ofaxially spaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface ofits housing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative toits housing, each reel also having an annular recess intermediate itsspaced surfaces, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base andhaving markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutivelyand equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that arewound on and at least partly disposed in the annular recesses ofcorresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between theend portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slidemounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering partof the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable alongthe base and the intermediate portion of the tape.

4. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a pair of spaced housings carried by the base, the base and eachhousing defining a passage, a reel supported by and rotatable withrespect to each housing, each reel having a pair of axially spacedsurfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of its housing torestrain the reel against rotational movement relative to its housing,each reel also having an annular recess intermediate its spacedsurfaces, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and havingmarkings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively andequidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that arewound on and at least partly disposed in the annular recesses ofcorresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between theend portions and through the passages and that overlies the uppersurface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including amember overlying and covering part 6 of the intermediate portion of thetape, said slide being movable along the base and the intermediateportion of the tape.

5. A device according to claim 4 including means preventing axialmovement of each reel relative to its housing.

6. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a pair of spaced housings aflixed to opposite ends of the base, areel carried by and rotatable with respect to each housing, a tape offlexible material narrower than the base and having markings denotingdays of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantlytherealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound oncorresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between theend portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slidemounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering partof the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable alongthe base and toward or away from either housing.

7. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a pair of spaced housings ailixed to opposite ends of the base,the base and each housing defining a passage, a reel carried by androtatable with respect to each housing, a tape of flexible materialnarrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendaryear arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tapecomprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and anintermediate portion that extends between the end portions and throughthe passages and that overlies the upper surface of the base, and aslide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and coveringpart of the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movablealong the base and toward or away from either housing.

8. A device according to claim 7 including means preventing axialmovement of each reel relative to its housing.

9. A device according to claim 7 wherein each reel has a pair of axiallyspaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of itshousing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative to itshousing, wherein each reel also has an annular recess intermediate itsspaced surfaces, and wherein each end portion of the tape is at leastpartly disposed in the annular recess of the corresponding reel.

10. A device according to claim 7 wherein the base bears a plurality ofsecond indicia denoting the number of days in corresponding rhythmiccycles and said member includes means for identifying any selected oneof the second indicia.

11. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indiciadenoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probablesterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of thebase, a first housing secured to the base, a second housing carried bythe base, said second housing being spaced from the first housing andslideable along the base toward and away from the first housing, a reelcarried by and rotatable with respect to each housing, and a tape offlexible material narrower than the base and having markings denotingdays of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantlytherealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound oncorresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between theend portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, said secondhousing including a member that overlies and covers part of theintermediate portion of the tape.

12. A device according to claim 11 including means connecting the secondhousing to the base and limiting 7 sliding movement of the secondhousing relative to the base.

13. A device according to claim 11 wherein each reel has a pair ofaxially spaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface ofits housing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative toits housing, wherein each reel also has an annular recess intermediateits spaced surfaces, and wherein each end portion of the tape is atleast partly disposed in the annular recess of the corresponding reel.

14. A device according to claim 11 wherein the mem ber bears a pluralityof indicia denoting the number of days in corresponding rhythmic cycles,and means carried by the base for identifying any selected one of saidlast-mentioned indicia. I a

15. A device according to claim 11 wherein the base bears a plurality ofsecond indicia denoting the number of days in corresponding rhythmiccycles and said member includes means for identifying any selected oneof the second indicia. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS288,329 Hack Nov; 13, 1883 387,784 Hack Aug. 14, 1888 1,714,650 Webb May28, 1929 2,021,934 Dull Nov. 26, 1935 2,161,345 Gates June 6, 19392,437,167 Lovelock Mar. 2,1948 2,494,291 Fay Jan. 10, 1950 72,520,208Green Aug. 29, 1950 2,641,406 Packard June'9, 1953 2,642,225 Lee June16, 1953 2,755,998 Pisarra July 24, 1956

